Tape cartridge auxiliary memory containing tape drive functional status information

ABSTRACT

A data storage library is described including a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The library also includes, at least one tape drive capable of determining at least one functional status when loaded with one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drive possesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferring information associated with the at least one function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device. The tape drive is further capable of transmitting the information from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an end user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tape libraries usingauxiliary memory devices contained in tape storage cartridges to recordfunctional status information related to tape drives.

2. Description of Related Art

Data storage libraries, such as tape libraries, are typically used tostore and retrieve large amounts of data for data manipulation andarchiving purposes. These libraries are generally comprised of drivedevices adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges thatare often housed within the tape libraries. In the interest of obtainingcursory information about a specific tape cartridge without requiring atime-consuming media load and tape threading process to read the on-tapeindex file, techniques using holes arranged in patterns in the cartridgecasing and later electrical pads grounded in a variety of combinationswere introduced. The holes and/or electrical pads provided simpleinformation such as tape capacity, manufacturer, etc. Today, thesetechniques are yielding to the introduction of Radio Frequency chipsdisposed in the tape cartridges called a Memory-In-Cartridge (MIC) orMedium Auxiliary Memory (MAM), because of increased amounts ofinformation and ease of use. FIG. 1A shows an example of a tapecartridge 100, tape medium 102, and MIC 104, shown here in dashed linesbecause the MIC 104 and tape medium 102 reside in the interior of thecartridge 100. In this example, the MIC is disposed in an LTO-3cartridge which can be provided by TDK Corp. of Tustin, Calif.

A MIC allows the tape drive to access valuable cartridge data withoutthe use of a physical connection, reducing connector wear for both thedrive and the media. The MIC is a memory chip built into the datacartridge that provides a direct and immediate connection to the drive'son-board processors, which speeds access to information related to thedata cartridge such as system logs, for example. Information and filesearch parameters are formatted within the MIC system effectivelycutting the data access time down to a fraction from historicaltechniques.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a MIC 104 fundamentally comprises an integratedcircuit that includes solid state memory and a transponder 124 attachedto an antenna 126, the antenna is typically a small coil of wires. TheMIC 104 is considered a passive device because it is energized whensubjected to a strong enough RF field produced by a MIC-Reader.Information can be transmitted between the MIC and the MIC-Reader via aspecific radio frequency.

Currently a MIC, or MAM, is parceled into regions for a medium, deviceand host. The three regions can accommodate attributes related to amedium with a MIC. For example a medium attribute can be a serial numberpermanently stored in the MAM during manufacturing, a device attributecan be load count maintained by the tape drive and a host attribute canbe a backup date maintained by the application client. These attributesare strictly read and written to by a reader disposed in a drive.

In an effort to expand capabilities of a storage element containing aMIC operable with a tape drives functional status when loaded with acartridge, both methods and apparatus are disclosed herein. It is toinnovations related to this subject matter that the claimed invention isgenerally directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tape libraries usingauxiliary memory devices contained in tape cartridges to recordfunctional status information related to tape drives overcoming thedisadvantages and limitations of the prior art by making the functionalstatus information available to an end user via the tape cartridge'sradio frequency memory device.

One embodiment of the present invention can therefore comprise a tapestorage library comprising: a plurality of tape cartridges eachpossessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device; at least one tapedrive capable of determining at least one functional status when loadedwith one of the tape cartridges wherein the at least one tape drivepossesses an auxiliary reader and writer device capable of transferringinformation associated with the at least one function status to and fromthe auxiliary radio frequency memory device; means for transmitting theinformation from the auxiliary radio frequency memory device to adisplay device that can be viewed by an end user.

Other embodiments of the present invention may additionally comprise atape storage library comprising: a tape cartridge possessing anauxiliary radio frequency memory device; a tape drive capable ofdisplaying a functional status on a single character display when loadedwith the tape cartridge, the tape drive possessing an auxiliary readerand writer device capable of transferring information associated withthe function status to and from the auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice wherein the auxiliary radio frequency memory device is capable ofstoring the information; means for transmitting the information from theauxiliary radio frequency memory device to a display device that can beviewed by an end user.

Yet further embodiments of the present invention may comprise a methodcomprising steps of: providing a library with a tape drive thatpossesses a functional status identification means, a tape driveauxiliary memory reader and writer device associated with the tapedrive, a designated cumulative auxiliary storage location, and a tapecartridge that possesses an auxiliary memory device; loading the tapecartridge in a cooperating relationship with the tape drive for a firsttime; storing a first functional status of the tape drive and the tapecartridge to the auxiliary memory device via the tape drive auxiliarymemory reader and writer device; reading the first functional status ofthe first load from the auxiliary memory device via the tape driveauxiliary memory reader and writer device; transmitting the firstfunctional status from the tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writerdevice to the designated cumulative auxiliary storage location;recording the first functional status in the designated cumulativeauxiliary storage location wherein the cumulative auxiliary storagelocation may contain other functional status information obtained from aplurality of other tape cartridges via the tape drive auxiliary memoryreader and writer device; and unloading the tape cartridge from the tapedrive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a prior art pictorial representation of a tape cartridge withan auxiliary radio frequency memory device.

FIG. 1B is a prior art pictorial representation of an auxiliary radiofrequency memory device.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a tape cartridge arrangement comprising amagnetic recording tape medium loaded with functional status informationfor a drive with functional status capabilities displayed on a singlecharacter display constructed in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a populated tape cartridge magazine inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration an embodiment of a shelf system that comprisesan auxiliary memory reader that can be used in combination with a loadedtape cartridge magazine in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a transport unit and auxiliary memoryreader arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an auxiliary radio frequency memory devicereader located at the library entry/exit port location consistent withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6A-6C shows various embodiments of a displayed data tablepertaining to historical tape drive functional status relatedinformation as recorded on a tape cartridges auxiliary radio frequencymemory device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a central data base acting as arepository for information pertaining to a plurality of tape cartridgesin a plurality of libraries in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 shows a commercial embodiment of one T-950 library unit whereinaspects of the present invention can be practiced.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method to practice anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative method topractice an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in general, and more specifically to FIG. 2A,shown therein is an illustration of a data storage arrangementconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.In what follows, similar or identical structures may be identified usingidentical callouts.

The data storage arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2A can comprise a userof data 202, such as a client, in communication 216 with a data storagelibrary 200. As illustratively shown, the client 202 is in communicationwith the library 200 via the communication path 216 and the libraryinterface device 214. The library 200 comprises a plurality of tapecartridges 100 disposed in a tape cartridge magazine 206 wherein each ofthe tape cartridges contains an auxiliary radio frequency memory device(not shown), such as the MAM 104 of FIG. 1B, capable of retainingauxiliary digital data. In this embodiment, the library 200 alsocomprises several tape drives 222 and 224, each capable of reading userdata from and writing user data to one each of the plurality of tapecartridges 100. User data herein is considered data from a source suchas the user of data 202 that is stored on the tape medium 102, of FIG.1A. Each tape drive 222 and 224 can be associated with a tape driveradio frequency memory device 230, as shown. Each tape drive 222 and 224can further comprise a Single Character Display (SCD) 271 and 272 thatcorresponds to the functional status of the respective drive 224 and 222when loaded with a tape cartridge 100. An example of a loaded tape driveis the tape cartridge 201 inserted in the tape drive 224 in acooperating reading and writing relationship where user data can bestored and read from the tape medium 102 contained substantially by thecartridge 201. As shown here, the loaded tape drive 224 is also in radiofrequency communication 223 with the auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice 104 (not shown) associated with tape cartridge 201 via the tapedrive radio frequency memory device 230 associated with tape drive 224.As illustratively shown, the SCD 271 associated with the loaded tapedrive 224 has displayed a functional status corresponding to the number“6” which may be indicative of a specific error code, for example.Hence, the SCD displays the functional information as a single characterrepresentation, such as “0”, “3”, “5”, “6”, “B”, “Z”, etc. For instance,an LTO-3 tape drive, manufactured by IBM from of Armonk, N.Y., comprisesan SCD wherein the SCD corresponding to “6” is indicative of a tapedrive or media error, which is an error indeterminate of whether theroot cause of error is the tape drive or tape cartridge. Other examplesof SCD functional status includes no error found, drive cooling problem,power problem with the drive, firmware problem with the libraryinterfacing with the drive, tape drive firmware problem, tape drivehardware problem, media error, combination tape drive and media error,bus failure, and drive needs to be cleaned, just to name a few examples.After determining the functional status of a tape loaded in a drive, thetape drive 224 can transmit the functional status information, such asthat shown on the SCD 271, to the auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice 104 associated with the loaded tape cartridge 201. Optionally,the tape drive 224 can read the historical functional status informationcorresponding to one or more previous load events that are stored on theauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 associated with the loadedtape cartridge 201 via the tape drive radio frequency memory device 230.Once read, the historical functional status can be sent to the auxiliarystorage device 240, for example. The auxiliary storage location 240 canaccommodate information from a plurality of auxiliary radio frequencymemory devices 104 in cumulative ways. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, SCD information from one or more tape cartridges 100can be manipulated with an algorithm, such as one provided by thelibrary 200, for example, to generate statistical data that can betransmitted to a display device for use by an operator or end user, forexample. In another embodiment, the statistics generated can be furtherretained in the auxiliary storage device 240, or some other location,for example.

The library 200 can further comprise a shelving system 220 capable ofarchiving the tape cartridge magazines 206 within the library 200. Inthis embodiment, the shelving system 220 is associated with one or moreauxiliary radio frequency memory device readers 232 that is at leastcapable of reading data, such as the SCD information, stored on anauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 contained by each tapecartridge 100. A transport unit 214 comprises means to transport a tapecartridge magazine 206 from the shelf system 220 to a location thatfacilitates a tape cartridge 100 to be inserted in one of the drives 222or 224, such as tape cartridge 201 in a cooperating relationship withdrive 224 to read and write data as shown. The transport device 214 canoptionally be associated with at least one auxiliary radio frequencymemory device reader 234, as shown here, disposed on the transport unit214. The library 200 also optionally comprises an entry/exit port 204whereby tape cartridges 100 or tape cartridge magazines 206 can betransferred between an environment external to the library 200 and anenvironment internal to the library 200. As shown here, at least oneauxiliary radio frequency memory device reader 236 is associated withthe entry/exit port 204. The auxiliary radio frequency memory devicereaders 232, 234 and 236 are independent of the tape drive radiofrequency memory device 230, that is, devices 232, 234 and 236 aredisposed in a location not associated with a tape drive. In thisembodiment, the library 200 can accommodate a graphical user interface218 and an auxiliary memory 240, such as a disk drive or solid statememory device, capable of retaining (storing) relevant informationrelated to each tape 100, such as that which is stored on an auxiliaryradio frequency memory device 104. In one embodiment, the tapecartridges 100 or the tape cartridge magazines may be associated withdifferent user of data such that the storage space in the library 200 ispartitioned into two or more parts wherein each part is associated withthe different user of data for example. With reference to FIG. 2B, showntherein are tape cartridges 100 supported by a tape cartridge magazine206. In more detail, a tape cartridge 100, such as an LTO-3 categorytape cartridge manufactured by IBM, comprises magnetic tape that iscapable of storing digital data written by a compatible drive 220 or224, such as an LTO tape drive manufactured by IBM, when in cooperation(i.e. loaded) with the tape cartridge 201 as shown in FIG. 2A. The tapecartridge magazine 206 is shown populated with a plurality of tapecartridges 100. A tape cartridge 100 can be removed from the tapecartridge magazine 206, as shown by the arrow 250, and inserted in tothe tape drive 220 or 224 by means of a picker device 502, shown in FIG.5. Disposed on the tape cartridge magazine 252 is a bar code identifier254 for identifying the tape cartridge magazine 206 which has utilityshould the tape cartridge magazine 206 be archived in a media packstorage vault, for example. In this embodiment, all tape cartridges 100contain an auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104, however, inalternative embodiments, some tape cartridges may not contain anauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, the magazine 206 can comprise a magazineauxiliary memory device 253 that is capable of containing informationfrom at least one of the data cartridges 100 the magazine 206 supports.The magazine auxiliary memory device 253 can receive information fromthe auxiliary radio frequency memory devices 104 contained by each tapecartridge 100 via one or more auxiliary radio frequency memory devicereaders 232, 234 or 236, for example. Information from the auxiliaryradio frequency memory devices 104 can be read and immediatelytransmitted to the magazine auxiliary memory device 253, oralternatively, the information of each auxiliary radio frequency memorydevices 104 can be stored on the auxiliary storage device 240 and thentransferred to the magazine auxiliary memory device 253, just to nametwo examples.

An auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104, in one embodiment, isparceled into three regions in which data can be stored; a medium deviceregion which contains information such as a serial number, a deviceregion which contains information from the tape drive such as loadcount, and host/vendor unique region wherein information such as historyand/or performance data related to the cartridge 100 can be stored. Theinformation in the regions can be added to with new information via anaddress related to the arrangement of available storage space in theauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 or, optionally, theinformation can be read by an auxiliary memory reader, such as thereader 230, and reassembled with additional information and stored onthe auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 as the reassembledversion, just to name two examples. In another example, if the storagelimit is reached in the auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104,such as the host/vendor data in the host/vendor unique region, thehost/vendor data can be read and stored in an auxiliary storage space,such as the auxiliary memory 240, and the host/vendor unique regionpurged and made available for new information. In another example, thehost/vendor data can be compressed with algorithms to decompressresiding in the library 200 or user of data 202, for example.

With reference to FIG. 3, shown therein is an illustration of a tapedrive 275 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Asshown, the tape cartridge 100 is loaded in the tape drive 275 via areceiving opening in the drive face 274 to form a cooperating read andwrite relationship. The tape drive 275 is capable of identifyingdrive/cartridge 275 and 100 functional status and displaying thefunctional status via an SCD 270 featured on the drive face 274. Thetape drive 275 further possesses an auxiliary memory reader and writerdevice (not shown), that transfers information associated with thefunctional status, i.e., the SCD information, to the auxiliary radiofrequency memory device 104 associated with the tape 100 wherein theinformation is in a form consistent with kind of auxiliary digital datastored in the auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104. The auxiliarymemory reader and writer device associated with the tape drive 275 canalso read the historical functional status information stored on thetape's auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104. The historicalfunctional status information is the information accrued from previousoccasions that tape cartridge 100 was loaded in the (or a different)tape drive 275. The tape drive 275 can then transmit the functionaland/or historical functional status information to the graphical userinterface 218, the user of data 202, the auxiliary storage device 240,or an alternative location to where an end user can view the data eitherdirectly or indirectly.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a shelf system 220 that comprises anauxiliary memory reader 232 that can be used in combination with aloaded tape cartridge magazine 206. As illustratively shown inarrangement-A, the tape cartridge magazine 206 is in the process ofbeing moved on to the shelf 220 in the direction of the arrow. Theauxiliary memory reader 232 is shown transmitting an RF field 304 via anauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 contained in cartridge A302. Arrangement-B illustrates the auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice 104 contained in tape cartridge A 302 transmitting data, such asSCD information relative the history of loads associated with cartridgeA 302, in the form of an RF signal 306 to the auxiliary memory reader232 when positioned in the presence of the RF field 304. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary radio frequencymemory device 104 is a passive device because it is energized whensubjected to a strong enough RF field produced by the auxiliary memoryreader 232. Information is transmitted between the auxiliary radiofrequency memory device 104 and the auxiliary memory reader 232 via aspecific radio frequency, shown here as 304 and 306. Data can betransferred and stored on the auxiliary radio frequency memory device104 from the library 200 or alternatively (and in addition to) data fromthe auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 can be transferred tothe auxiliary memory 240 via the auxiliary memory reader 232.Arrangement-C illustrates the auxiliary radio frequency memory device104 contained in tape cartridge B 308 transmitting data in the form ofan RF signal 307 to the auxiliary memory reader 232 when positioned inthe presence of the RF field 304. Arrangement-D illustrates theauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 contained in tape cartridgeC 310 transmitting data in the form of an RF signal 309 to the auxiliarymemory reader 232 when positioned in the presence of the RF field 304.

With reference to FIG. 5, shown therein is an illustration of thetransport unit 214, of FIG. 2A, in greater detail. The transport unit214 is adapted to transport tape cartridge magazines 206 within thelibrary 200. A cartridge picker 502, which can be associated with thetransport unit 214, is adapted to move cartridges 100 from a tapecartridge magazine 206 into a cooperating read/write relationship with atape drive, such as tape drive 224 of FIG. 2A. The transport unit 214 isillustratively shown herein accommodating an auxiliary memory reader 234that is transmitting an RF signal 508 (and potentially data) to anauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 contained in tape cartridgeD 504 whereby the auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104 ofcartridge D 504 is transmitting data, such as historical SCDinformation, via an RF signal 510 to the auxiliary memory reader 234.

Data, including functional drive/cartridge status information, from eachtape cartridge's auxiliary radio frequency memory device 104, obtainedby an auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader, such as 230, 232,234, or the like, can be stored on an auxiliary storage device 240associated with the library 200. Optionally, the data can be stored inmemory associated in an alternative location, such as with the host 202,for example. Because many potential attributes can be stored on anauxiliary radio frequency memory device 104, the manner in which thedata can be displayed may be organized in accordance with specificneeds. For example, each recorded cartridge can have an associated filewhere upon opening the file, one can choose which attribute to display.Alternatively, a display can include a handful of most frequently vieweddata or data filtered according to specific performance relatedthresholds. Illustrative examples are shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

With reference to FIG. 6A, shown therein is one example of a displayeddata table 600 pertaining to alert action based on functional statusinformation, and more specifically, SCD information. The table 600 canbe generated from multiple tape cartridge SCD information that arecumulatively stored on the auxiliary storage device 240 and displayed onthe graphical user interface 218, a remote monitor or some other displaydevice that can be viewed by an end user or operator, for example. Aspreviously discussed, the SCD information for each tape cartridge 100 isread from the cartridge's associated auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice 104 and transmitted via an auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice reader, such as 230, 232, 234, 236, or some other means fortransmitting the SCD information to an end user. The SCD information issorted by an action 606 to replace a cartridge 100 which, in thisexample, is an excessive number of load errors. As illustrated, threecolumns are displayed, namely; the tape cartridge bar code serial number602, the SCD functional status of time a tape cartridge is loaded in adrive 604 and the action to replace a tape cartridge 606. Here, thenumber of load errors recorded that exceed four causes an alert action606. As illustratively shown, bar code serial number AAC has an actionto be replaced because of five errors that are identified as an SCDerror code “7”. Bar code serial number AAF has an action to be replacedbecause of four errors that are in sequence “4, 5, 4, 4”. Bar codeserial number BCC has an action to be replaced because of six errorsthat are identified as an SCD error code “6”. A decision to replace thetape cartridge, repair a drive, or replace a drive can be left up to anoperator or end user or can optionally be automatically accomplished bythe library 200, for example. This is where I left off.

FIG. 6B shows an alternative example of a displayed data table 620showing all tape cartridges in a library. As illustrated, three columnsare displayed, namely; the tape cartridge bar code serial number 610 inorder, the corresponding SCD functional status of time a tape cartridgeis loaded in a drive 612 and the action to replace a corresponding tapecartridge 614. As in the example of FIG. 6A, the number of load errorsrecorded that exceed four causes an alert action. As illustrativelyshown bar code AAA has posted two errors that are identified as an SCDerror code “6”, hence no action is needed at the current time. Bar codeAAB has not errors posted, and as illustratively shown in FIG. 6A, barcode serial number AAC has an action to be replaced because of fiveerrors that are identified as an SCD error code “7”. The bar code byserial number column 610 continues as indicated by the “ . . . ”. FIG.6C shows an alternative example of a displayed data table 640 showingjust tape cartridge AAA and a list of SCD of four tape drives that areused with tape cartridge AAA. All of the tape drives comprise an SCD,such as that provided by an IBM LTO-3 tape drive, though some drives donot but may be able to determine functional status, nonetheless. Asillustrated, five columns are displayed, namely; serial number AAA loadcount arranged in successive loads 642, drive-1 load status 644, drive-2load status 646, drive-3 load status 648 and drive-4 load status 650. Asillustrated for loads 2, 5 and 8, drive-3 is registering error 6 whichmay be a tape drive or media error displayed by drive-3. As such, anoperator or user of data may arrive at the conclusion that drive-3 isbroken or may need servicing. The registered SCD of 0 indicates that noerror occurred.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a central data base 702 acting asa repository for information pertaining to at least each tape cartridgeassociated with each library. As shown in the illustrative arrangement,library A 704, B 706, C 708, D 710 and E 712 are each linked to thecentral data base 702. The central data base 702 can provide storage ofany, and all, auxiliary radio frequency memory device informationcontained in each tape cartridge associated with each library A-E704-712. In one embodiment, all of the tape cartridges comprised bylibrary A 704 may each comprise an auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice, such as the device 104. The central data base 702 can,therefore, contain all of the information from each of the auxiliaryradio frequency memory devices from library A 704 and further be adaptedto sort the information in any number of ways including the exemplaryarrangements of FIGS. 6A-6C. Library B 706 may comprise tape cartridgesthat do not have an auxiliary radio frequency memory device, thus, onlythose that do have an auxiliary radio frequency memory device can storeassociated information on the central data base 702. Library C 708 mayinclude some cartridges with an attribute associated with each auxiliaryradio frequency memory device that bars storing any associatedinformation on the central data base 702, hence, only those cartridgesthat are allowed to be stored (i.e., not bared) on the central data base702 are stored. The auxiliary radio frequency memory device informationstored on the central data base can be viewed by an authority, such asan Original Equipment Manufacturer of libraries and/or tapes, forpurposes of tape management, such as replacing damaged or worn out tapesor notifying a user of data if something out of the ordinary hasoccurred.

Embodiments of the present invention can be commercially practiced in aSpectra Logic T-950 tape cartridge library manufactured by Spectra Logicof Boulder Colo. FIG. 8 shows a commercial embodiment of one T-950 unit800 without an enclosure. The T-950 library 800 comprises a first andsecond shelf system 830 and 840 that are adapted to support a pluralityof the mobile media, such as the tape cartridge magazine 206 comprisinga plurality of LTO-3 tape cartridges with MAMs, archived by the library800. The shelf systems 830 and 840 can each comprise at least oneauxiliary memory reader, such as the auxiliary memory reader 232 of FIG.2A. Furthermore, the second shelf system 840 comprises at least one fourIBM LTO-3 drives that each comprise an SCD (not shown) and are adaptedto read and write data to and from a tape cartridge. The IBM LTO-3drives each have the capability of storing data to an auxiliary radiofrequency memory device 104 contained in an LTO-3 cartridge.Functionally interposed between the first and second shelf system 830and 840 is a magazine transport space 810. The magazine transport space810 is adapted to provide adequate space for a tape cartridge magazine206 to be moved, via a magazine transport and cartridge picker (notshown), from a position in the first shelf system 830, for example, to adrive. The magazine transport and picker can further accommodate atleast one auxiliary radio frequency memory device reader, such as thereader 234 from FIG. 2A. Tape cartridge magazines 206 can be transferredinto and out from the T-950 library 800 via an entry/exit port 850. Anauxiliary radio frequency memory device reader, such as the reader 236from FIG. 2A, can be associated with the entry/exit port 850.Transferring tape cartridge magazines 206 in and out of the T-950library 800 can be accomplished by an operator for example. The T-950library 800 comprises a means for cooling as shown by the fans 860,located at the base of the library 800. The T-950 library 800 can belinked to a central data base, such as the data base 702, wherein thecentral data base can provide storage of all of the auxiliary radiofrequency memory devices, such as the device 104, contained in each tapecartridge in the T-950 library 800 as read by any one of the auxiliaryradio frequency memory device readers. The T-950 library 800 alsoprovides a graphical user interface (not shown) whereon a display tablemuch like those illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C can be displayed. In analternative embodiment, simple messages pertaining action associatedwith a tape cartridge can be displayed, such as an alert accompanying asound alarm, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 2A, shown therein is amethod to practice an embodiment of the present invention. It should berecognized that the steps presented in the described embodiments of thepresent invention do not necessarily require any particular sequenceunless otherwise stated. As shown in step 900, a library 200 is providedwith a tape drive 224 that possesses a functional status identificationmeans, a tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device 230associated with the tape drive 224, a designated cumulative auxiliarystorage location 240, and a tape cartridge 201 that possesses anauxiliary memory device 104. As shown in step 902, the tape cartridge201 is loaded in a cooperating relationship with the tape drive 224 fora first time. As shown in step 904, a first functional status of thetape drive 224 and the tape cartridge 201 is stored to the auxiliarymemory device 104 via the tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writerdevice 230. As shown in step 906, the first functional status of thefirst load is read from the auxiliary memory device 104 via the tapedrive auxiliary memory reader and writer device 230. As shown in step908, the first functional status is transmitted from the tape driveauxiliary memory reader and writer device 230 to the designatedcumulative auxiliary storage location 240. Step 908 can be performedafter step 906 or after unloading the tape cartridge 201 and re-loadingthe tape cartridge 201 a later time. As shown in step 910, the firstfunctional status is recorded in the designated cumulative auxiliarystorage location 240 wherein the cumulative auxiliary storage location240 may contain other functional status information obtained from aplurality of other tape cartridges 100 via the tape drive auxiliarymemory reader and writer device 230. In an alternative embodiment, otherauxiliary memory reader and writer devices, such as 232 and 234 can beused to complete this step. As shown in step 912, the tape cartridge 201is unloaded from the tape drive 224.

FIG. 10 shows some alternative embodiments of the present inventionwhich includes method steps 902, 904, 906, 908, 910 and 912 from FIG. 9.For the embodiment in step 1002, the first functional status of thefirst load is read from the auxiliary memory device 104 via an auxiliarymemory reader device independent of the tape drive 224, such as thereader device 232, for example, and wherein the transmitting step 908 isaccomplished via the auxiliary memory reader device independent of thetape drive 224. In yet another alternative embodiment, the method ofshown in FIG. 9 can include steps to load the tape cartridge 201 in acooperating relationship with the tape drive 224 for a second time,store a second functional status of the tape drive 224 and the tapecartridge 201to the auxiliary memory device via the tape drive auxiliarymemory reader and writer device 230, read the second functional statusof the second load from the via the tape drive auxiliary memory readerand writer device 230, transmit the first and the second functionalstatus from the tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device 230to the designated cumulative auxiliary storage location 240, and recordthe first and the second functional status in the designated cumulativeauxiliary storage location 240. In yet another alternative embodiment,the method of shown in FIG. 9 can include steps to provide a second tapedrive 222 that possesses a second functional status identification means272, a second tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device 230associated with the second tape drive 222, load the tape cartridge 201in a cooperating relationship with the second tape drive 222, store asecond functional status of the tape drive 222 and the tape cartridge201 to the auxiliary memory device 104 via the tape drive auxiliarymemory reader and writer device 230 associated with the second tapedrive 222, read the second functional status of the load with the seconddrive 222 from the auxiliary memory device 104 via the second tape driveauxiliary memory reader and writer device 230, transmit the first andthe second functional status from the second tape drive auxiliary memoryreader and writer device 230 to the designated cumulative auxiliarystorage location 240, and record the first and the second functionalstatus in the designated cumulative auxiliary storage location 240.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, multiple auxiliary memory reader devicesindependent of a tape drive can be used inside of a library with one ormore tape cartridge's associated auxiliary memory device at the sametime while still maintaining substantially the same functionalitywithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Another example can include using tape drives that do not have SCD's butdo, however, have the capability of determining at least one functionalstatus when loaded with a tape cartridge and transferring knowledge ofthe functional status to the tape's auxiliary radio frequency memorydevice 104 or optionally directly to an auxiliary storage device, suchas the device 240, while still maintaining substantially the samefunctionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. Another example can include using auxiliary memory readerdevices independent of a tape drive to check accuracy of data viaredundancy not to mention techniques in which data from multiple tapecartridges, via their associated auxiliary memory devices, can beaccumulated coincidentally, just to name a few examples while stillmaintaining substantially the same functionality without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, though elementsand methods are described herein exemplifying a first and second objector element, for example, this language is used herein to simplify thedescription indicative of a plurality of objects or elements. Finally,although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to tapelibrary systems, RF devices, SCD tape drives and related technology, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings ofthe present invention can be applied to other remote communicationsystems and devices, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

1. A data storage library comprising: a plurality of tape cartridgeseach possessing an auxiliary radio frequency memory device; at least onetape drive capable of determining functional status of said tape drivewhen interacting with said tape cartridge to at least form a cooperatingreading and writing relationship, said tape drive possessing anauxiliary reader and writer device adapted to transfer informationassociated with said functional status to and from said auxiliary radiofrequency memory device possessed by said tape cartridge; saidinformation maintained by said auxiliary radio frequency memory deviceand wherein said information is transmittable from said auxiliary radiofrequency memory device to a display device that can be viewed by an enduser, said auxiliary memory reader and writer device capable oftransmitting said information as read from said auxiliary radiofrequency memory device to said display device viewed by said end user;an auxiliary storage device capable of receiving and maintaining saidinformation from said auxiliary memory reader and writer device, saidauxiliary storage device adapted to contain said information from saidplurality of tape cartridges, said data storage library furthercomprising a computer implemented algorithm that is adapted tostatistically analyze any of said information received from saidplurality of tape cartridges wherein said statistical analysis istransmitted to said display device.
 2. The data storage library of claim1 further comprising an auxiliary memory reader device independent ofsaid tape drive that is capable of reading said information from one ofsaid auxiliary radio frequency memory devices and transmitting saidinformation to said display device.
 3. The data storage library of claim2 further comprising an auxiliary storage device capable of receivingsaid information from said auxiliary memory reader device independent ofsaid tape drive for storage.
 4. The data storage library of claim 1wherein said functional status of said tape drive is selected from thegroup consisting of: no error, cooling problem, power problem, libraryfirmware problem, tape drive firmware problem, tape drive hardwareproblem, media error, combination tape drive and media error, busfailure, and drive needs to be cleaned.
 5. The data storage library ofclaim 1 wherein said tape drive further comprises a single characterdisplay that displays a representation of said functional status.
 6. Thedata storage library of claim 5 wherein said information coincides withsaid single character display.
 7. The data storage library of claim 1wherein said information is used as an alert to replace either one ofsaid tape cartridges or said at least one tape drive.
 8. A data storagelibrary comprising: a tape cartridge possessing an auxiliary radiofrequency memory device; a tape drive capable of displaying functionalstatus of at least one aspect of interaction between said tape drive andsaid tape cartridge when at least forming a cooperating relationship ona single character display, said tape drive possessing an auxiliaryreader and writer device capable of transferring information associatedwith said functional status to and from said auxiliary radio frequencymemory device wherein said information associated with said functionalstatus is maintained in said auxiliary radio frequency memory device;said information from said auxiliary radio frequency memory device istransmittable to a display device that can be viewed by an end user,said auxiliary memory reader and writer device is capable oftransmitting said single character display information as read from saidauxiliary radio frequency memory device to said display device viewed bysaid end user; an auxiliary storage device capable of receiving andretaining said single character display information from said auxiliarymemory reader and writer device wherein said auxiliary storage devicecapable of retaining all of said single character display informationfrom all of said tape cartridges, all of said single character displayinformation from all of said tape cartridges are capable of beingmanipulated via an algorithm to generate at least one statistic relatedto said single character display information wherein said at least onestatistic is transmitted to said display device.
 9. The data storagelibrary of claim 8 wherein said single character display information isselected from the group consisting of: no error, cooling problem, powerproblem, firmware problem, tape drive firmware problem, tape drivehardware problem, media error, combination tape drive and media error,bus failure, and drive needs to be cleaned.
 10. A method comprisingsteps of: providing a library with a tape drive that possesses a meansfor identifying functional status, a tape drive auxiliary memory readerand writer device associated with said tape drive, a designatedcumulative auxiliary storage location, and a tape cartridge thatpossesses an auxiliary memory device; loading said tape cartridge in acooperating relationship with said tape drive for a first time; storinga first functional status of said loaded tape drive to said auxiliarymemory device via said tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writerdevice; reading said first functional status stored in said auxiliarymemory device with said tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writerdevice; transmitting said first functional status from said tape driveauxiliary memory reader and writer device to said designated cumulativeauxiliary storage location; recording said first functional status insaid designated cumulative auxiliary storage location wherein saidcumulative auxiliary storage location is capable of recording otherfunctional status information associated with a plurality of other tapecartridges and transmitted thereto via said tape drive auxiliary memoryreader and writer device; and unloading said tape cartridge from saidtape drive.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising reading saidfirst functional status of said first load from said auxiliary memorydevice via an auxiliary memory reader device independent of said tapedrive and wherein said transmitting step is accomplished via saidauxiliary memory reader device independent of said tape drive.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising: loading said tape cartridge in acooperating relationship with said tape drive for a second time; storinga second functional status of said tape drive and said tape cartridge tosaid auxiliary memory device via said tape drive auxiliary memory readerand writer device; reading said second functional status of said secondload from said tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device;transmitting said first and said second functional status from said tapedrive auxiliary memory reader and writer device to said designatedcumulative auxiliary storage location; and recording said first and saidsecond functional status in said designated cumulative auxiliary storagelocation.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising: providing asecond tape drive that possesses a second functional statusidentification means, a second tape drive auxiliary memory reader andwriter device associated with said second tape drive; loading said tapecartridge in a cooperating relationship with said second tape drive;storing a second functional status of said tape drive and said tapecartridge to said auxiliary memory device via said tape drive auxiliarymemory reader and writer device; reading said second functional statusof said load with said second drive from said auxiliary memory devicevia said second tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device;transmitting said first and said second functional status from saidsecond tape drive auxiliary memory reader and writer device to saiddesignated cumulative auxiliary storage location; and recording saidfirst and said second functional status in said designated cumulativeauxiliary storage location.